who's next???

true.....

You left out Wiccans, Druid, New Age and Urantia. LOL.

And it's only Wednesday.

I'm game. I love everybody. I'll even give bill a virtual hug.

Now, where is that beer and wine?

Hi VP,

If a person walked into your home with sticks of dynamite strapped to his chest, the detonator button in his hand, and all your family is at home -- are you going to lovingly invite him to sit and have tea with your family?

I realize this is a wild analogy; however, the danger to one's eternal salvation is even more damaging than what sticks of dynamite could do to a family. We can relate this thought to what Jesus said when He sent His twelve disciples on a mission trip to preach the Gospel, He told them, "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28).

So, yes, we are to love people; Jesus taught us this. However, when someone enters our virtual home, the Religion Forum, bringing false teachings which are a danger to the eternal salvation of many -- I do not think He would tell us to just love them and allow them to plant seeds of destruction among our Forum family.

The apostle Paul teaches us in Romans 12:18, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men." Notice that Paul says, "If possible. . ." What does he mean by this? He means that we are to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the love of Jesus Christ with all people -- yet, if that person or those people are doing something which can harm your family, or your Forum family -- then peace with him is no longer possible.

What does Jesus Christ teach Peter, and the other apostles, in John 21:15-17? First, He instructs them to, "Tend His lambs" -- then, "Shepherd My sheep" -- and, finally, "Tend My sheep."

Jesus was using the metaphor of the shepherd standing watch over his flock of sheep. What does the shepherd do when a wolf or some other predator approaches his sheep? With his sling shot and staff, he attacks the predators -- driving them away from his flock. That is what it means to tend and shepherd the flock -- protect them from all predators.

And, there is no greater predator, no greater danger to the flock of Jesus Christ, and those seeker who come to join His flock -- than those who will spread false teachings among the sheep. Jesus Christ tells us to protect His flock, protect His sheep, protect His church.

This is our first priority -- protect His church, His sheep. And, then, when they are safe from predators -- we love them with a great Christian love.

Just my thoughts.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))

quote:

This is our first priority -- protect His church, His sheep. And, then, when they are safe from predators -- we love them with a great Christian love.

sheep. led like sheep. there can be no better analogy than that.

sorry vp. as long as believers are vicariously insisting that small children and i will be tortured for eternity unless we come to accept the wild, crazy evidenceless claims you guys make there can be no peace. no one ever strapped a bomb to their chest because they were thinking too rationally.

quote:

Originally posted by Unobtanium:

quote:

This is our first priority -- protect His church, His sheep. And, then, when they are safe from predators -- we love them with a great Christian love.

sheep. led like sheep. there can be no better analogy than that.

sorry vp. as long as believers are vicariously insisting that small children and i will be tortured for eternity unless we come to accept the wild, crazy evidenceless claims you guys make there can be no peace. no one ever strapped a bomb to their chest because they were thinking too rationally.

uno,

Don't listen to those silly christians. Shake the dust from your heels

and walk away from them.

quote:

sorry vp. as long as believers are vicariously insisting that small children and i will be tortured for eternity unless we come to accept the wild, crazy evidenceless claims you guys make there can be no peace.

I don't believe you will be tortured for eternity, for what it's worth. I do believe God will reveal Himself to you at some point. If you look Him in the eye and say "NO", then yes you will go to H... but I don't believe that all nonbelievers on this earth are destined for He$%.

quote:

Originally posted by vplee123:

quote:

sorry vp. as long as believers are vicariously insisting that small children and i will be tortured for eternity unless we come to accept the wild, crazy evidenceless claims you guys make there can be no peace.

I don't believe you will be tortured for eternity, for what it's worth. I do believe God will reveal Himself to you at some point. If you look Him in the eye and say "NO", then yes you will go to H... but I don't believe that all nonbelievers on this earth are destined for He$%.

you make it very hard to be disagreeable. i'm trying to start soem crap ma'am. could you please go find some other place to play nice?

okay.
good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by vplee123:
okay.
good luck.

uno,

You're going to heii.

The bottom layer where all those perverts are!!!!



Oh, wait, he might like that!

Mornin unob.

quote:

Originally posted by vplee123:
I don't believe you will be tortured for eternity, for what it's worth. but I don't believe that all nonbelievers on this earth are destined for He$%.

V, a nonbeliever would fall into the category of unsaved. I see the Bible as saying if you do not accept Christ, there's only one place for you & that's the fire pit.
What would keep some nonbelievers out of Hell but not all?

Not really semi, a nonbeliever is someone who has doubts or confusion. That is not the same as someone who condemns the faith.

The only unpardonable sin is to blaspheme God, and it has to be a real rip roaring blaspheme!

I always thought of unbeliever as being someone that doesn't believe in God. Someone that has doubts & confusion would be someone that believes in God but is confused & doubtful of His word.

The Bible says any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.

I see blasphemy as any kind of injurious speaking against someone. When we say something with the intent to hurt, harm or hinder another, defame & slander, spread destructive rumors & malicious whisperings, & speak in such a way as to bring irreversible, injury to someone, we've committed blasphemy.

Kinda like what Bill Gray does.

[b50mquote]The only unpardonable sin is to blaspheme God, and it has to be a real rip roaring blaspheme![/quote]
So there are different strengths of blasphemy?

Have you seen any examples of it on this forum?

quote:

Not really semi, a nonbeliever is someone who has doubts or confusion.

how can such a simple concept be so misunderstood? you might be describing an agnostic but certainly not a "non beleiver."

i have no "confusion" of the existence of invisible supermen any more than you have "confusion" over the existence of bridge trolls (amd im assuming you do not beleive in bridge trolls of course). i have no "doubt" about the non existence of god except for the infinitesimally small chance that gods might possibly exist outside our universe just as there is a infinitesimally small chance that bridge trolls exist.

let's do a test shall we? hey god! kiss it you non existent jerk! is that blaspheming enough?

........see? no thunder. no heart attack. no demons coming up from my floorboards to snatch me up. .... wait a minute, my butt just itched . . . hey, did god just give me a hemorrhoid?

quote:

let's do a test shall we? hey god! kiss it you non existent jerk! is that blaspheming enough?

........see? no thunder. no heart attack. no demons coming up from my floorboards to snatch me up. .... wait a minute, my butt just itched . . . hey, did god just give me a hemorrhoid?

HA! If God replied instantly to your silly test, then I'll be awfully upset because there are things I have been praying about for YEARS for which I still wait an answer...patiently...
But, Uno...you should know better than to expect instant gratification- if an itchy butt is indeed the gratification for which you were searching....
cue the music for another gay/butt topic....

Try Preparation H unob.

quote:

cue the music for another gay/butt topic....

hmm. perhaps that's how god is punishing all of us for our sins?

could be, ya know!

quote:

Originally posted by vplee123:
there are things I have been praying about for YEARS for which I still wait an answer...patiently...

V, I have no doubt you believe in God but what's your explanation if He never answers those prayers?
Some people believe that he answers, just not the the way they wanted. I don't believe that.
That's just their excuse for an unanswered prayer.

quote:

V, I have no doubt you believe in God but what's your explanation if He never answers those prayers?

I wish I knew, Semi. I truly do.

I know I wasn't the one you asked, but may I?

A few years ago I wanted SO badly to get a certain job that I prayed about it REALLY hard. I went well prepared for the interview and thought for sure I would get it. I kept praying they would call me back, but they never did. A couple of weeks later an even better position opened up at a different place. It paid better, and on top of that, I met a person through that job who became one of my best friends.

When God does not answer my prayers now, I realize He has something better in mind.

quote:

Originally posted by O No!:
I know I wasn't the one you asked, but may I?

A few years ago I wanted SO badly to get a certain job that I prayed about it REALLY hard. I went well prepared for the interview and thought for sure I would get it. I kept praying they would call me back, but they never did. A couple of weeks later an even better position opened up at a different place. It paid better, and on top of that, I met a person through that job who became one of my best friends.

When God does not answer my prayers now, I realize He has something better in mind.

ONo,

Your right about that. He knows before you do, and he knows whats best before
we do. It's like they say, be careful what you wish for.....

I can agree with that. Sometimes what you get is what you wanted but not the way you wanted it.

quote:

Originally posted by semiannualchick:

quote:

Originally posted by vplee123: there are things I have been praying about for YEARS for which I still wait an answer...patiently...

V, I have no doubt you believe in God but what's your explanation if He never answers those prayers? Some people believe that he answers, just not the the way they wanted. I don't believe that. That's just their excuse for an unanswered prayer.

Hi Chick,

When you go home, is your front door standing open waiting for you to enter -- or do you need to put the key in the lock and unlock the door before you can enter?

It is the same way with God. If you want to enter into a prayer conversation with God (and that is what prayer is -- a conversation with God) -- you first must use the right key.

What is the right key? Well, it starts with, "Lord God, I am a sinner and I ask You to forgive me and to make me a member of Your holy family." Then, you can always add in that you are sorry for your sins, that you believe Jesus Christ died to atone for your sins, that He rose to assure you eternal life, etc. -- but, in your own sincere words.

If prayed sincerely and with a seeking heart -- I promise this "key" will unlock the floodgate of answered prayers. Now, not all prayers will be answered with a, "Yes." Some will be, "No" -- and others will be, "Not yet, My child." But, all will be answered.

It is all in the "key" you use.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

quote:

Originally posted by semiannualchick:
V, I have no doubt you believe in God but what's your explanation if He never answers those prayers?

quote:

Originally posted by vplee123:
I wish I knew, Semi. I truly do.

Thank you, I appreciate your honesty. At least you didn't give me one of those answers I usually get.

quote:

Originally posted by b50m:
I can agree with that. Sometimes what you get is what you wanted but not the way you wanted it.

But we're talking about unanswered prayers.

When my prayers go unanswered I figure He either wants me to wait, or the answer is "No". When the answer is no, I figure, just like when I was a kid and my parents said no, there is a good reason. I'll admit that doesn't make it any easier, but I DO know He heard me.

quote:

Originally posted by semiannualchick:

quote:

Originally posted by b50m:
I can agree with that. Sometimes what you get is what you wanted but not the way you wanted it.

But we're talking about unanswered prayers.

I don't know semi. I have had several not answered or maybe they will be answered later or maybe what I want will not be the best thing for me.
I really don't know. I know some times it seems really cruel, like losing a family member. I have to trust that they left at the time they did because it was best for them, or it was best for the people around them.
My mom died one week after going into a nursing home. It was a blessing because she was in pain, had Alzheimer and it caused great grief for the family. I have to trust that God really does know best.

quote:

It is all in the "key" you use.

I don't know about that, Bill. There is no "magic words" to be heard by God. God hears the prayers of ALL of us- even children. (who cannot be sure to get all of your "required" elements in there....

Please don't belittle this conversation to the level that we are "praying wrong".

quote:

Originally posted by O No!:
When my prayers go unanswered I figure He either wants me to wait, or the answer is "No". When the answer is no, I figure, just like when I was a kid and my parents said no, there is a good reason. I'll admit that doesn't make it any easier, but I DO know He heard me.

O,

I've heard it said, and your post reinforces it, that there are three answers to prayers. Yes, No, and We'll See.

So, look around and find a brick. A nice, red brick, without too many chips out of it, and no mortar stuck on it. A respectable, honorable brick.

Set it up in a conspicuous place and pray to the brick.

The brick will answer Yes, No, or We'll See.

Wasn't Jesus supposed to have said that if any two of you together pray for anything, it will be granted? Correct me if I'm wrong.

You, by your own admission, have granted god exactly the same powers to answer prayers as the brick. And, I would add, with about the same percentages.

I rather imagine that god helps those who work toward the realization of their prayers in some cases. But an amputee can pray until she is blue in the kidneys, and not get a new leg. It hasn't happened yet. Why not?

Why not? Be careful how you answer this one. I'm laying a trap for you. I can't get more honest than that.

The brick will see that your business venture is successful about 15% of the time, just like god. The brick will not regrow the limb of an amputee, just like god. Both football teams can pray to the brick, but the team with the better kicker will win, just like with god.

The brick has one advantage, however. The brick is real.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill Gray:

quote:

Originally posted by semiannualchick:

quote:

Originally posted by vplee123: there are things I have been praying about for YEARS for which I still wait an answer...patiently...

V, I have no doubt you believe in God but what's your explanation if He never answers those prayers? Some people believe that he answers, just not the the way they wanted. I don't believe that. That's just their excuse for an unanswered prayer.

Hi Chick,

When you go home, is your front door standing open waiting for you to enter -- or do you need to put the key in the lock and unlock the door before you can enter?

It is the same way with God. If you want to enter into a prayer conversation with God (and that is what prayer is -- a conversation with God) -- you first must use the right key.

What is the right key? Well, it starts with, "Lord God, I am a sinner and I ask You to forgive me and to make me a member of Your holy family." Then, you can always add in that you are sorry for your sins, that you believe Jesus Christ died to atone for your sins, that He rose to assure you eternal life, etc. -- but, in your own sincere words.

If prayed sincerely and with a seeking heart -- I promise this "key" will unlock the floodgate of answered prayers. Now, not all prayers will be answered with a, "Yes." Some will be, "No" -- and others will be, "Not yet, My child." But, all will be answered.

It is all in the "key" you use.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Of course in Bill's cult it would take a key to get into the house. And if you don't know the address, or had never heard of the owner, you are out of luck, too.

Have a blissed day, Bill.

quote:

Originally posted by O No!:
I know I wasn't the one you asked, but may I?

A few years ago I wanted SO badly to get a certain job that I prayed about it REALLY hard. I went well prepared for the interview and thought for sure I would get it. I kept praying they would call me back, but they never did. A couple of weeks later an even better position opened up at a different place. It paid better, and on top of that, I met a person through that job who became one of my best friends.

When God does not answer my prayers now, I realize He has something better in mind.

Blame it on God. I wonder what would have happened if you had gotten the other job. Maybe in just a short time you would have gotten promotions and raises, and had a more fulfilling position. You might not have only met an even better friend, but many more great friends. You'll never know of course, because that is just the way it is. God didn't have anything to do with it.

quote:

Originally posted by vplee123:

quote:

It is all in the "key" you use.

I don't know about that, Bill. There is no "magic words" to be heard by God. God hears the prayers of ALL of us- even children. (who cannot be sure to get all of your "required" elements in there....

Please don't belittle this conversation to the level that we are "praying wrong".

Hi VP,

I can show you in the Bible that God hears the prayers of believers.

Can you show me any Scripture which tells us He hears ALL prayers of ALL people?

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Bill,
If he only hears believers, then how does one begin to believe?

B50M,

If Jesus can meet St. Paul on the road to Emmaus. (and we all know the story, St. Paul certainly wasn't praying to Jesus, Paul was advocating stoning of Christ's followers)
But the point is Jesus interceded anyway.
IF HE will do that, then He must hear every prayer. He's sees all, and hears all..

quote:

Originally posted by b50m:
Bill,
If he only hears believers, then how does one begin to believe?

Hi B,

Great question! Their believing begins when someone plants a "seed of salvation" in their heart. This may be through sharing the Gospel with this person -- or merely by showing Christian love for that person -- depending upon the situation.

When that seed is planted, the Holy Spirit begins to nourish it and, if demonic spirits do not smother it out by planting false teachings to cover it -- then, one day, the Holy Spirit will harvest that "seed of salvation" bringing another soul into the Family of God.

And, just think -- God has blessed we Christian believers with the responsibility of sowing those "seeds of salvation."

Happy Sowing and God bless,

Bill

quote:

Originally posted by House of David:
B50M,

If Jesus can meet St. Paul on the road to Emmaus. (and we all know the story) Then Jesus hears every prayer. That's just my opinion.

Hi David,

There is no Biblical hint at all that Paul was praying as he rode toward Damascus. As a matter of fact, I would say that by all Biblical teachings -- Paul definitely was not praying -- for he was on a journey to arrest and possible execute Christian believers.

I do not believe he was praying.

However, God had special plans for Paul -- and He stepped in and took control. And, praise God that He did -- for look at the great Scripture we have as a result of Saul's coversion.

No, Saul was not praying -- but, Jesus was waiting for Saul.

Does this mean that God took away Saul's free will to choose? No, it just tells us that God, in His omniscience, knew that Saul was ready to become Paul.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

quote:

B50M,

If Jesus can meet St. Paul on the road to Emmaus. (and we all know the story, St. Paul certainly wasn't praying to Jesus, Paul was advocating stoning of Christ's followers)
But the point is Jesus interceded anyway.
IF HE will do that, then He must hear every prayer. He's sees all, and hears all..

This message has been edited. Last edited by: House of David, 24 September 2010 12:56 AM